"Over 55" communities

[friar1610]

Hi. I've been absent from this forum for a while.

My wife and I have previously looked at some of the "over 55 active adult" communities. We looked at one when we were visiting our daughter in MA this weekend (we live in VT.) I doubt that we would want to live quite that close to her, but what I see from these communities is: 1) nice homes with lots of room; 2) no maintenance (lawn mowing, mulching, snow plowing, etc.) although you obviously pay for that via a monthly fee; 3) probably a lot of folks with whom you would have something in common living in the same community.

But there are some downsides to a community such as these.

Anyone have any personal experience they'd care to share?

Thanks.

 

[Moemg]

You just have to be aware of the restrictions and whether you can live with them . I lived in a community that restricted plants ,color of home , trucks, bird feeders & Large dogs . The dogs had a weight limit . I am not sure who weighed them . The only other downside is the lack of diversity in the neighborhood .I did love having everything taken care of & the instant friends.

 

[grumpy]

We have been living in a "55 or better" community now for 6 years and like it alot. We make use of the many amenities (indoor pool, fitness center, walking trails, etc.) that would not be nearly as close and convenient if we lived elsewhere. The community has 800 single family homes. The HOA takes care of all of the common areas, snow removal, trash removal, etc.

It is extremely important to study the governing documents of the community before you buy. There are lots of rules about nearly everything. If you can't or don't want to live with those restrictions, it is better to find that out before you buy.

I have gotten involved in the governance of the community and am now the chairman of the finance committee. Running an HOA of this size is like running a small town government.

We have found it easy to make friends as all of our neighbors are at a similar stage in life. We have found a subset of folks who share our interests in travel, theater, dining out, etc. and hold quite a few group activities with them.

We like not having children around all of the time. This kind of living is not for everyone but it seems to suit us very well.

 

[KingB]

But there are some downsides to a community such as these.

Anyone have any personal experience they'd care to share?

Thanks.

DW's former officemate lives in one. And one thing she did not like is the frequent news that so and so have this medical condition (heart attack, emergency,etc) or worse yet, so and so passed away.

 

[FreeAtLast]

My parents lived in a 55+ community for about 30 years. They loved it. The only problem was that my mom stayed there until she was 90 and by that time she was the oldest person there. The activities that they offered were no longer good for a person of that age. Younger people started to move in and be on the "board" and she did not like the changes that they were instituting.

The house went up in value and we were still able to sell it in 2008 during the real estate crisis when it was necessary to move her to assisted living.

There are restrictions and they are enforced but it did not seem to bother them.

 

[Packman]

I looked at one of these communities before I built my current home. And my brother is moving to one in SC in 5 months. If you like and use the activities in the community, that is a plus. If you don't, you pay for something you don't use. One major point (good or bad) is that most do not allow any children under 18, except for short visits.

The next time my DW and I move, we will likely move to one of these communitities.

 

[Nords]

It is extremely important to study the governing documents of the community before you buy. There are lots of rules about nearly everything. If you can't or don't want to live with those restrictions, it is better to find that out before you buy.

This may be true for over-55 communities as for other HOAs-- the bigger the community the deeper the talent on the bench for the governance, as well as for the finances.

Smaller communities are all too susceptible to tyrants, dog-weighers, and apathetic owners. It can be a lethal combination.

 

[JBmadera]

We are looking at several in AZ, and have talked with family/numerous friends who took the plunge and really have enjoyed themselves. Folks advice to us is to take our time and look at many different communities, there's no rush.

good luck!

 

[Midpack]

They don't appeal to me, but a co-worker who retired and bought a house in an over 55 community near Phoenix just loves the place after 2 years. I am sure it depends on each person's wants and needs. In support, I live in a non- retirement community with an HOA we don't care for, so that can happen to anyone. And if you choose an over 55 community, you can leave the "reservation" as often as you like...best of luck.

 

[donheff]

My 79 yo sister moved into one in Tuscon a couple of years ago. I was surprised because she is a non-conformist type who would have rejected the idea when she was younger. But she wanted to move to warmer climes (from a Colorado ski town) and she found this an easy and affordable choice. She likes it and it does seem like an OK place to me.

 

[mystang52]

One point I never understood: the "benefit" of lawn mowing and snow removal. I don't live in a planned community, but I have that benefit now - I pay for it, just as one would as part of the monthly fee. So that should not be a factor in making the decision.
The other benefits/drawbacks come down to personal taste (I, for one, like the diversity of ages in my immediate neighborhood, so doubt I would ever move to one of these communities).

 

[eytonxav]

One point I never understood: the "benefit" of lawn mowing and snow removal. I don't live in a planned community, but I have that benefit now - I pay for it, just as one would as part of the monthly fee. So that should not be a factor in making the decision.
The other benefits/drawbacks come down to personal taste (I, for one, like the diversity of ages in my immediate neighborhood, so doubt I would ever move to one of these communities).

It depends on how much one wants to pay for these services. I live in an HOA controlled community and have ~.4 acres to take care of. So the cost of the maintenance could definitely be a factor in one downsizing to one of these 55+ communities that generally have zero or near zero lot lines with much less lawn/landscaping/driveway. We have looked at a few of these in the DFW area and have not ruled them out, but are concerned about the lack of age diversity, as I suspect being around some younger folks may help us to feel younger ourselves.

 

[JOHNNIE36]

One point I never understood: the "benefit" of lawn mowing and snow removal. I don't live in a planned community, but I have that benefit now - I pay for it, just as one would as part of the monthly fee. So that should not be a factor in making the decision.
The other benefits/drawbacks come down to personal taste (I, for one, like the diversity of ages in my immediate neighborhood, so doubt I would ever move to one of these communities).

The "benefit" is that everyone has it done and you don't have to worry about the looks of the neighborhood. Maybe. A lot of these communities around the country are having problems with maintenance when home-owners let their houses go back to the lenders. The owners stop paying fees and the maintenance goes downhill.

 

[Silver]

My DH and I have lived in an over 55 community for almost 4 years, and we are pleased with our house as well as the community. There are over 600 homes, and a very active HOA that seems to be consistent and fair. The HOA rules are clearly for the greater good, and enforced. We are good with that.

We currently pay $155 a month which covers the grass cutting and edging as well as our basic TV cable and the common areas including the clubhouse. (We pay more for added channels). I'm at the heated pool and in the hot tub almost everyday....much easier then having our own which we have done in the past.

We have lived in the communities with families and kids.....and never want to do that again. We are offically "curmudgeon's" and are fine with that. This community is about 50/50 year around residents and "snow-birds", which works well.

 

[freebird5825]

I am reading this thread with great interest. Thank you all for the commentary.
I am still on the fence about staying put (if it ain't broken... ), or downsizing to a controlled and maintained community arrangement like this within the next 5 years or so. I would definitely want my own separate dwelling with my own front door, but with a very small size, easy to maintain yard. I like my privacy, and the ability to socialize when I want to or not that living in a house gives me.
Keep those comments coming...

 

[crispus]

We are getting ready to move to the Villages in Fl. It is a huge community currently at around 80,000 people. It's like Disneyland for seniors.

 

[Amethyst]

You mean there are not a lot of spoiled grandkids, always screaming in the pools? That is something I remember from living with parents in FL. Not their grandkids (they didn't have any yet); those belonging to the neighbors.

Amethyst

We have lived in the communities with families and kids.....and never want to do that again. We are offically "curmudgeon's" and are fine with that. .

 

[crispus]

Each community has two pools, one is for over 30 only and the other is a family pool. They are not located next to each other. Notice the crowds in the pool.

 

[pb4uski]

Mom and Aunt live in retirement community in Florida. Very nice, particularly if you like the amenities (community center, golf courses, fitness center, hobby clubs, etc.) Like others have said, some limitations that cna be annoying.

I just turned 55 and would be eligible, however there are too many "old" people (70s and 80s) there and not enought people our age - something to consider is you age in relation to the community you are considering.

 

[flyfishnevada]

DW's former officemate lives in one. And one thing she did not like is the frequent news that so and so have this medical condition (heart attack, emergency,etc) or worse yet, so and so passed away.

The biggest downside for us. Were only in early 40's but have thought about these types of communities. Seems like it would be a constant downer. People you live near, become friends with, etc. always dying, going off to nursing homes, hospitals, etc.

On the other hand, they seem like nice, pleasurable places to live, but we've done the burbs thing before and didn't really like it. Just kind of vanilla. We have no idea where we will end up and a 55 plus may be in our far off future, but we'd like to try a little variety before we decide. Who knows, maybe a condo downtown or cabin in the woods is more our style?

 

[donheff]

On the other hand, they seem like nice, pleasurable places to live, but we've done the burbs thing before and didn't really like it. Just kind of vanilla. We have no idea where we will end up and a 55 plus may be in our far off future, but we'd like to try a little variety before we decide. Who knows, maybe a condo downtown or cabin in the woods is more our style?

I live on Capitol Hill in DC. I also am a member of and volunteer in a non-profit called Capitol Hill Village that helps its members "age in place" in the neighborhood. The so called "village movement" started in Beacon Hill, Boston and is expanding around the country. CHV provides all kinds of services to its members and organizes a lot of activities. DW and I are hopeful that it will succeed and continue to attract members and younger volunteers as we get older. It offers some of the community and activity advantages of the over 55 places but set in a vibrant, center city with members living in their homes among the rest of the community.

 

[haha]

I live on Capitol Hill in DC. I also am a member of and volunteer in a non-profit called Capitol Hill Village that helps its members "age in place" in the neighborhood. The so called "village movement" started in Beacon Hill, Boston and is expanding around the country.

Judging from these two neighborhoods this is an elite, very upscale operation.

Sounds very attractive though.

Ha

 

[donheff]

Judging from these two neighborhoods this is an elite, very upscale operation.

Sounds very attractive though.

Ha

That is a fair assessment of those two "villages" although I think they vary around the country. There are almost 150 of them now (many just getting started). Also, how they work varies significantly. Beacon Hill provides almost all of its services through vetted vendors (i.e. you pay for the services). We do over 70% through volunteers. We also have a fund to sponsor members who can't afford the dues -- the center of Capitol Hill is very upscale but the edges are not.

Here is a map showing where these outfits are operating around the country. I see that the Phinney Neighborhood Association out in your neck of the woods is developing a village. Are they upscale? Looks like another one in Vashon, nearby. It strikes me that to work the village's area must be viewed by a substantial portion of its residents as a neighborhood, not just a place they are living. If you are interested in how a mature village operates check out our web site. By the way, the web site was developed and is operated by volunteers. I am involved in that. I don't know what we will do when our primary programer ages out of his activities Hopefully some maturing Gen X or Yer will take over.

 

[haha]

That is a fair assessment of those two "villages" although I think they vary around the country. There are almost 150 of them now (many just getting started). Also, how they work varies significantly. Beacon Hill provides almost all of its services through vetted vendors (i.e. you pay for the services). We do over 70% through volunteers. We also have a fund to sponsor members who can't afford the dues -- the center of Capitol Hill is very upscale but the edges are not.

Here is a map showing where these outfits are operating around the country. I see that the Phinney Neighborhood Association out in your neck of the woods is developing a village. Are they upscale?

No, I wouldn't say so. Typical white, northend Seattle neighborhood- a bunch of mostly childless lawyers and government workers and simialr cocial types living in houses sold almost a century ago to workers. Some of these houses are currently being torn down and replaced by large much more expensive SFH. Phinney neighborhod center is quite a center of yoga and dance and whatever classes. I would say that the neighborhood tenor is mostly right-thinking "Progressive" younger people, and plenty older people who continue to live there. I have lived over there myself.

Ha

 

[Amethyst]

Donheff, a woman I work with is very active as a volunteer to the "village" system. She is a "rehired annuitant" who works with us a couple days a week, and does whatever she wants the rest of the time - which often means helping elderly "villagers." She told us all about the concept the other day - we were fascinated. Everyone agreed we would rather go that route, than move to a retirement community. If I were to get into volunteerism, I suspect that's the cause I'd support.

The only thing that made my back hairs rise a little bit was when she commented that she and some other people are "working on" an elderly widow who owns a large home. They are trying to get this widow to rent out part of her home to another Villager. The thought of "being worked on" does not set well with me! But, it may just have been this lady's natural turn of phrase for setting out a business case to someone.

(Seems like no matter what stage you are at in life, somebody always thinks they know better than you and want to tell you what to do!)

Amethyst